By Jake Donovan
Shiming Zou returned to the ring for the first time since his title fight loss to Amnat Ruenroeng, stopping previously unbeaten Natan Santana Coutinho in eight rounds Saturday evening in Shanghai, China.
The regional flyweight title fight marked a rare occasion where Zou - who claimed Olympic Gold for China in 2008 and 2012 (along with an Olympic Bronze medal in 2004) - enjoyed a size and strength advantage. Santana came in with a glossy record, but was built up against soft competition in his native Brazil.
Still, his first road trip had its moments for a few rounds, though perhaps due to Zou getting reacquainted with the ring after being out for nearly 11 months. The first few rounds were somewhat competitive, but never carrying the threat of an upset.
With only one prior knockout to his ledger, it was a default line of thinking that Zou would carry his opponent the full distance. That changed midway through, when the most successful amateur boxer ever to come out of China enjoyed a power surge. Santana was never able to recover, proving to be easy picking as Zou put him away in round eight.
The win is the first for the still-hopeful flyweight contender since Nov. '14, improving to 7-1 (2KOs).
UNDERCARD
Ryota Murata picked up his quickest win since his pro debut, stopping Argentina's Gaston Alejandro Vega in two rounds.
The 2012 Olympic Gold medalist from Japan continues to cruise in the pro ranks, although he had several sloppy moments in his latest ring appearance. His punching power was enough to get him through the day, beginning with a knockdown midway through the opening round.
Vega was never competitive, but was able to prolong the inevitable as Murata went right hand crazy, swinging and missing for most of the round, save for the knockdown. The 30-year old middleweight prospect corrected that flaw in round two, battering Vega before flooring him for a second time in the fight.
There wouldn't be another punch thrown as referee Danrex Tapdasan called an immediate halt to the contest.
Murata moves to 9-0 (6KOs) with the early night's work after having been extended the distance in three of his previous four starts.
Zulpikar Maimaitiali remained unbeaten following a 3rd round stoppage of Australia's Steve Moxon. The unbeaten super middleweight prospect from Urumqi - an industrial hub in China's northwest region - maintained control from the opening, offering a healthy mix of boxing and slugging before forcing Moxon into submission late in round three.
Maimaitiali improves to 6-0 (4KOs). Moxon falls to 5-3 (4KOs) heads back to Australia with his third straight loss.
Jake Donovan is the managing editor of BoxingScene.com. Twitter: @JakeNDaBox